With Kyle Orton's ribs sore enough to keep the veteran ...

With Kyle Orton's ribs sore enough to keep the veteran out of practice once again Thursday, it was rookie Tim Tebow taking most of the work with the starting offense for the second consecutive day.

Tebow, who has not played a snap in the Broncos' last three games, would make his first NFL start Sunday in Oakland if Orton cannot play. But Broncos interim coach Eric Studesville said Thursday no decision would be made on the team's starting quarterback until much closer to kickoff.

"I still think we have time. I'm not in a hurry to make that decision," Studesville said.

Tebow ran the offense in Wednesday's practice as well, the first time he had been at the controls for such an extended time since some spot work in the preseason.